Chimney safety tips

Wednesday

Dec 26, 2012 at 3:15 AM

By The Associated Press

There are steps you can take at home to reduce creosote buildup and the risk of a chimney fire.

Foremost is picking dry wood to burn, according to Ashley Eldridge, education director for the Chimney Safety Institute of America. To determine whether wood is sufficiently dry, “take two pieces and bang them together. You get almost a ring as an indication its ready. If not, it’s a dull thud,” Eldridge said.

Dry wood also will appear gray on the surface and have cracks on the end.

Christina El-Hagen, a certified sweep with Pride Clean Chimney Sweeps in Bethesda, Md., cautions against throwing pizza boxes or other trash in the fireplace, because it causes a thicker smoke, which lowers the temperature in the chimney.

“The hotter the fire, the better the burn,” she said.

While many people use a newspaper to start a fire, she recommends a fire log or fire starter instead.

And to reduce the risk of a spark flying out of the fireplace, use a screen and stay in the room while the fire is burning.

“The last thing you want to do is build a big old fire and leave the room,” Eldridge said.